Chapter 29

Hannah’s POV

The palace felt different that afternoon.

Quieter than usual.

But not peaceful.

Heavy.

Like something was about to happen.

I sat beside my mum’s bed, gently brushing my fingers through her hair as she slept.

Her breathing was steady.

Slow.

But weaker than before.

That alone made my chest tighten.

“She needs rest,” Tianna whispered softly beside me.

I nodded.

“I know.”

But rest didn’t stop fear.

It didn’t silence the voice inside my head that kept whispering:

Something is wrong.

My mum stirred slightly, shifting against the pillows.

I leaned closer immediately.

“Mum?”

Her eyes fluttered open slowly.

Tired.

But aware.

“You’re still here,” she murmured faintly.

A weak smile formed on her lips.

“Of course I’m still here,” I said softly.

“I’m not leaving you.”

Her fingers reached for mine, squeezing gently.

“You should rest too.”

I shook my head.

“I’m fine.”

She gave me that familiar look again.

The one that said:

Stop lying to me.

Before I could respond

A loud sound echoed through the hallway.

Footsteps.

Heavy.

Firm.

Fast.

Not servants.

Not guards.

Them.

My heart jumped slightly.

Why were they back so early?

They rarely returned before nightfall.

Most days, I didn’t even see them.

The footsteps grew louder.

Closer.

Approaching this side of the palace.

Tianna turned toward the door, alert.

“They’re back,” she murmured.

My stomach tightened.

Unexpected tension crawling into my chest.

A knock sounded against the door.

Firm.

Controlled.

“Enter,” Tianna responded.

The door opened.

And there they were.

All three of them.

Standing together.

Tall.

Imposing.

Unavoidable.

Kael stood at the front, his sharp blue eyes immediately scanning the room.

Riven leaned slightly against the doorway, arms crossed tightly over his chest.

Lucien remained quiet as usual, his dark gaze settling directly on me.

For a moment

Nobody spoke.

Silence stretched.

Uncomfortable.

Heavy.

My mum shifted slightly on the bed, trying to sit up straighter.

Her gaze moved between them carefully.

Cautiously.

“You shouldn’t move,” I whispered, helping her settle back against the pillows.

Kael stepped forward slowly.

His expression calm.

Controlled.

But serious.

“How is she?” he asked.

His voice was steady.

Measured.

Unexpectedly gentle.

“She’s resting,” I replied carefully.

Still unsure how to act around them.

Still unsure what they wanted.

Lucien moved slightly closer to the bed, his gaze scanning my mum’s condition carefully.

Observing.

Evaluating.

Quietly.

“She looks weaker,” Riven muttered bluntly.

I shot him a sharp look.

“That’s because she just had treatment.”

He didn’t respond.

Just nodded slightly.

Like he accepted the explanation.

Kael turned toward Tianna.

“Escort Elara to Selene’s chambers tomorrow morning.”

His voice returned to its usual commanding tone.

“No delays.”

“Yes, Alpha,” Tianna replied respectfully.

My stomach tightened slightly at the mention of Selene again.

But I said nothing.

Not yet.

After a moment, Kael turned back toward me.

His gaze settled firmly on mine.

“Hannah.”

Just hearing my name from his lips made my chest tighten.

“Yes?”

“Come with us.”

My brows furrowed slightly.

“Why?”

His expression didn’t change.

“We need to speak with you.”

Something about the way he said it made tension spread through my chest.

Not anger.

Not fear.

Just uncertainty.

I glanced briefly at my mum.

She was watching everything silently.

Carefully.

“Go,” she murmured softly.

“I’ll be fine.”

I hesitated.

Still unsure.

Still cautious.

But eventually

I stood.

Slowly.

“Stay with her,” I whispered to Tianna.

“I will,” she assured me.

With one last glance at my mum, I followed them out of the room.

The door closed behind us with a soft click.

The hallway stretched long and silent before us.

None of them spoke at first.

They walked ahead.

I followed behind.

Uncertain.

Tense.

Waiting.

Finally

We entered the sitting hall.

Large.

Quiet.

Empty.

Kael stopped walking.

Then turned toward me.

“Sit.”

I didn’t move immediately.

Suspicion curled slowly inside my chest.

“Why?” I asked carefully.

Riven sighed loudly.

“Because we asked you to.”

Lucien shot him a sharp glance.

Silent warning.

I hesitated again.

Then slowly lowered myself into the chair across from them.

They remained standing.

Watching me.

Studying me.

Silence filled the room again.

Heavy.

Tight.

Uncomfortable.

My patience snapped first.

“What do you want?” I asked.

Kael inhaled slowly.

Deeply.

Like he was preparing himself.

Then

Something unexpected happened.

He stepped forward.

And sat down across from me.

His posture shifted slightly.

Less commanding.

More… human.

“We owe you an apology.”

The words hit me like a slap.

Unexpected.

Unbelievable.

“What?” I whispered.

Riven shifted slightly behind him, looking uncomfortable.

Lucien remained silent, but his gaze stayed fixed on me.

Kael didn’t break eye contact.

“We treated you poorly.”

I blinked slowly.

Still unsure if I heard him correctly.

“You threatened me,” I replied quietly.

“You humiliated me.”

“You reduced me to nothing.”

Silence followed.

Heavy.

Honest.

Painful.

Riven exhaled sharply.

“We know.”

Lucien finally spoke.

His voice low.

Calm.

“We were wrong.”

That made my chest tighten unexpectedly.

Not because I forgave them.

But because…

I never expected those words.

Not from them.

Not ever.

Kael leaned forward slightly.

His voice softer now.

More controlled.

“We misjudged you.”

A long pause followed.

Then he added quietly:

“You’re stronger than we thought.”

Something inside my chest shifted slightly.

Small.

Subtle.

But noticeable.

“And now?” I asked quietly.

Kael exchanged a brief glance with his brothers.

Then looked back at me.

“We want to make things right.”

I studied their faces carefully.

Searching for lies.

For manipulation.

For hidden intentions.

But for once

I saw none.

Just seriousness.

Just tension.

Just effort.

And somehow

That unsettled me more than anger ever could.